The Security Studies doctoral program is designed to produce specialists capable of analyzing and communicating security issues to policy makers, the general public, the government, and academia.
Many graduates will work in military and other governmental organizations, international corporations, and agencies that deal with security. Others will seek employment in research and teaching in institutions of higher education.
The PhD degree consists of 59 credit hours beyond the master's degree. A master's degree is required for admission to the program with at least 30 credit hours of master's level work (including both coursework and thesis hours). The 59 credit hours consist of 17 credit hours of required courses, 15 credit hours of restricted electives, 9 hours of unrestricted electives (including courses offered in other departments, research, independent study, and internship), and a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation work.
Total Credit Hours Required: 59 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree
Program Prerequisites
An earned master's degree or it's equivalent in Political Science, International Politics or International Relations, or related discipline. The Graduate Program Director will evaluate the suitability and applicability of MA degrees in other disciplines for admission purposes.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online . All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- An earned master's degree or its equivalent in Political Science, International Politics or International Relations, or related discipline. The Graduate Program Director will evaluate the suitability and applicability of MA degrees in other disciplines for admission purposes.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- Three letters of reference that evaluate the applicant's academic performance and their suitability and potential for undertaking doctoral study, at least one of which must be written by a faculty member at the institution where the master's degree was earned.
- A personal statement of 500 words identifying areas of research interest in political science, faculty with whom they would like to work, and describing the applicant's academic and professional experiences and future career goals.
- A writing sample of at least 2500 words that demonstrates the applicant's ability to complete graduate-level research.
- Résumé.
- For international applicants whose first language is not English, a score of 90 or better on the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT); or a score of 232 or better on the TOEFL computer-based test; or a score of 575 or better on the TOEFL paper-based test; or a score of 7.0 or better on the IELTS.
- Applicants to this program, except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Applicants should plan to take the appropriate test no later than December to ensure consideration of their applications by the January 15 deadline.
Applicants' records will be reviewed on an individual basis for academic deficiencies and evaluated to assess their potential for success in the program. Supplemental course work may be recommended. Consult the graduate program director whenever questions arise.
A department admissions committee that reviews the applicants' credentials will conduct interviews with the top candidates (either in-person on campus or by phone or Skype). Final selection is based on both submitted credentials and interview.
Meeting minimum UCF admissions criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is also based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program to the applicant's career/academic goals, applicant's potential for completing the degree, and the interview.
Application Deadlines
| Security Studies PhD | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | | |
| International Applicants | Dec 1 | Dec 1 | | |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
